Ahead of 34 times convicted Donald ‘I killed Roe v Wade’ and ‘I want to be dictator for a day’ Trump’s MAGA-Bund Rally hosted by fellow accused January 6 insurrectionist and traitor Charlie Kirk, Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson Yolanda Bejarano, State Representative Sarah Liguori, and former Republican Vice Mayor of Phoenix Peggy Neely held an event at one of the ten Biden/Harris Campaign offices in the Grand Canyon state, highlighting how dangerous a Trump restoration to the Oval Office for Arizona and the nation.
Chairperson Bejarano spoke first and struck a humorous note by saying she was surprised, given Mr. ‘I have been found liable for sexual assault and business fraud” had missed three previous commitments to visit Arizona, and had finally followed through on this one.
She then started her condemnation of the election denialism and quest for revenge from Mr. ‘I’ve been Impeached Twice’ and his MAGA supporters.
Among Chairperson Bejarnao’s remarks were:
“Trump’s sole mission today is to… undermine our Democratic institutions and promote political extremism that almost tore our country apart. Donald Trump is so consumed with his 2020 loss that his first campaign event after his felony conviction is with one of the main funders of the January 6th insurrection, Charlie Kirk. Trump’s rally with the white nationalists continues his unhinged spiral ever since he lost the 2020 election.”
“Donald Trump’s extremism has been on full display following his (34 counts)felony conviction.”
“I will stop at nothing to ensure that every Arizonan understands what’s at stake in this election. A second Trump presidency means an end to our democracy full stop! And let’s take a look at his record. Trump made the violent January 6th attack on the US Capitol a cornerstone of his campaign of revenge and retribution for himself. He’s saying he would be a dictator on day one if he’s elected. He threatened that there would be a blood bath if he loses. And he’s indicated that he would pardon and free January 6th rioters (whom he calls hostages.) Trump is the only President in history to refuse to commit to a peaceful transfer of power after he lost the election and he has made it clear that his main goal as President is to use his power to systematically dismantle and destroy our democracy. He is promising to be a ruler and use the United States government to exact retribution on his political enemies.”
“A Strong Arizona is vital to our Democracy. The issues that we face as Arizonans are reflective of our country as a whole. We know that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans see Arizona as a testing ground for election conspiracy theories and denialism. Ground Zero of what has become our entire country’s struggle against misinformation and false claims basically repeated to interrupt our electoral process. Voters across Arizona will face a stark reminder of why they rejected Trump in 2024 when he brings his campaign of revenge and resolution to the state.”
“We will continue to reject him. Our Democracy depends on Arizona voters coming out to protect America by… joining this call to stop Donald Trump in the name of freedom and the spirit of Democracy. President Biden must win in Arizona.”
Representative Liguori spoke out next and called out the danger of re-electing Donald ‘I killed Roe v Wade’ Trump poses for reproductive freedom across Arizona and the country.
Among Representative Ligouri’s comments were:
“In Arizona, we are facing an unacceptable reality...Trump intentionally appointed three Supreme Court Justices who voted to overturn Roe v Wade, a fact that you proudly brags about. Because of Donald Trump, Republicans across the country are ripping away all forms of access to (reproductive freedom) and inserting themselves into the most personal decisions a woman can make.”
“We have seen what happens when a national issue is relegated to the states. The 1864 (abortion)ban threatened Arizona women. The no exceptions for rape or incest…In Arizona when this bill was written, women could not own a home or vote. The age of consent was ten…Make no mistake. The threat from the 1864 ban is only possible because Donald Trump dismantled Roe v Wade. Trump’s allies embraced and passed extreme abortion bans and much more and they will continue to do so. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, he and his allies will threaten to ban abortion in all 50 states Including here in Arizona.”
“Abortion is on the ballot this year. From the ballot initiative to the Presidency and in our legislature. There is only one path forward to restoring our freedoms. We must vote for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats up and down the ticket. We have one message for Arizonans. Vote It is our power. There is so much on the line This November more than at any time in recent history.”
Former Republican Vice Mayor Peggy Neely spoke next and tailored her remarks to how bad Donald ‘I did not build the wall and get Mexico to pay for it’ Trump put his political self-interests above the needs of the United States in the area of reforming immigration and border security.
Among former Vice Mayor Neely’s statements were:
“I’m the former Vice Mayor of Phoenix and I’m a lifetime Republican. Like many Arizonans. I was proud to stand with my party. And proud of our leaders like Senator John McCain. John McCain stood for our country and for our state every day. But Donald Trump. He’s nothing like McCain nor will he ever be? Donald Trump’s actions and caring about only himself and his extremism has caused me a lifetime Republican to change my party to Independent.”
He (Trump) was extreme before Arizona rejected him in 2020 and then he snapped. Now he’s focused on just one thing: seizing power… and for revenge and retribution.”
“Look no farther than the border...A genuine challenge for us in Arizona every day. Which Trump has made worse? Over and over again Trump has made it clear. He doesn’t want safe and secure borders. He wants to campaign on it while Arizonans pay the price. President Biden knows what we’re dealing with here in Arizona. He worked with Republicans and Democrats to negotiate the toughest and fairest deal our country has seen in decades.”
“Biden would have helped bring order to the Border…and cracked down on the fentanyl coming into our country and kept us all safe. Republicans in Arizona and DC knew Biden’s bill could fix the Border. Both parties knew it was tough and a fair bill. But when it came time to vote, Trump told his Republicans to kill it. He literally said blame me. Well here in Arizona, we do blame Trump. And we will blame him in November.”
“This (border security) shouldn’t be a partisan issue, especially in Arizona. That’s why many Republicans said It was appalling and the height of stupidity…and tragic that the bill was being killed for Trump’s own political purposes.”
“Biden’s bill would have made our country safer and made the border more secure and was supported by Donald Trump’s allies like the Border Patrol Unions that endorsed Trump two times for election. Let’s be clear. Donald Trump does not care about fighting for a Safe America. He said no to securing the border because he thought it would help him politically. That’s exactly why Donald Trump is always looking out for himself and not for Arizona. In November the American people will know exactly who is standing in the way of border security. Donald Trump and his MAGA friends who said no to border security while President Biden continues to work to deliver solutions. I asked you to remember to vote for Biden in November. Thank you.”
One on One with the Arizona Democratic Party Chairperson Yolanda Bejarano
After the press event, Arizona Party Chairperson Yolanda Bejarano graciously met with me for some follow-up questions. The questions and her responses are below:
I just want to ask you a question about a recent poll that just came out from the New York Times showing that only five percent of the respondents equate the former president with January 6 and only four percent equate him with the poor response to COVID. How would you respond to that in terms of the outreach efforts you outlined today?
“We’re making sure that people understand Trump’s extremism and his direct connection to January 6th…We are visiting every single county and making sure that people understand that there is a stark contrast between the Democrats and the Republicans.”
And the four percent not remembering his response to COVID?
“I think it’s similar. We have to let people understand and I think reminding people of his botched attempt, telling people to drink bleach. It’s just out of control and people will remember that.
Would you like to comment about the Trump Campaign’s lack of ground operations in Arizona compared to the Democrats?
“Absolutely and compared to last cycle, I mean, he doesn’t have any offices open. They had to sell their headquarters because they couldn’t afford it. They have no presence. That’s why they are trying as hard as they can to lie about issues. I think we are out-raising them three to one. They are a mess and they’ve been taken over by the MAGA extreme faction of the party. That’s what’s happening in Arizona.”
The Biden/Harris economy is comparable and in several areas, superior to the Trump/Pence economy. Why do you think that’s not getting through?
Again, that’s what we’re here to do. We are here to help people understand that President Biden and Democrats are lowering the cost of prescription drugs (like insulin,) bringing back good union (especially blue and green collar) jobs and to Arizona specifically with the CHIPS Act. I mean, these jobs are going to change people’s lives for generations to come. The Infrastructure Bill is something that Trump said he was going to do and he never did. Actually taking action on the border, which is what people in Arizona want and President Biden did that.
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